Starsiege: Rebellion (1998)

'Starsiege: Rebellion' is a miniatures game set in Sierra/Dynamix's "Starsiege" universe. Forces present include the Imperials (humans from Earth), Rebels (human colonials on Mars who stumble into advanced alien technology to allow them to rebel), and Cybrids (humanity's long-time enemy...machines who attempted to destroy their creators several times in the past, and each time being beaten back). At the point of the game, the Cybrids had established a final base around Pluto from which they began a new invasion after the humans started fighting amongst themselves. There are not many 'scenarios', but the production values are pretty decent - and the game box includes a bucket of miniatures. The gameplay features unit activation as a combination of laying chits by units and rolling a die, and the combat has some very elegant twists that make it resolve FAST - only 2 dice (one determined by range, the other determined by skill of the firing unit) for are needed to resolve all damage from an attack. As a result, the game is not very "nitty gritty", like Battletech, but takes a higher-level view of action. Scenarios played with a dozen units would be over in half an hour, easily, and scenarios with many dozens of units would be playable in an afternoon. Boxed set includes: 96-page rulebook 29 vehicle data cards Master Equipment/Master Weapons Reference Card Meeting Engagement Scenario Setup Card FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) Sheet 80 full-color die-cut counters 5 full-color die-cut templates 5 dice (4-, 6-, 8-, 10-, and 12-sided) 18 unpainted miniatures Imperial - 4 Talon Scout Hercs - 4 Obsidian Hover Tanks - 1 Minotaur Herc Cybrid - 4 Seeker Scout Hercs - 4 Manta Hover Tanks - 1 Shepherd Herc - 4 hills (thermal plastic, flocked, from 2" to 7" across)